When Liverpool had a Xabi Alonso-shaped hole they needed filling in their
midfield Rafa Benítez was given plenty of funds to get his man. He arrived
at Anfield injured and once fit struggled to cope with the demands of the
game in this country, the hurly-burly of the Premier League not especially
to his liking. A handful of reasonable games but nothing more, before a loan
then permanent return to Italy, where he is thriving again.